Agius Saliba: 'Business cannot continue as usual with a country that commits genocide'

Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba has affirmed that Europe must take a stronger stance on international crises, stating that business cannot continue as usual with a country that commits genocide.

“Our voters ask you to put a stop to the killing in Gaza, to stop and to halt the trade with Israel. We cannot have business as usual with a country that commits genocide. It goes against our treaties,” Saliba said during the debate on the State of the Union on Wednesday afternoon.

Saliba’s comments come as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new proposals targeting Israel during the speech on the State of the Union, including a partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and sanctions on extremist ministers and settlers in the West Bank.

While Israel has announced a daily humanitarian pause in Gaza fighting, the situation remains severe. On Tuesday, Israel carried out a strike in Qatar targeting a Hamas negotiating team in Doha, whilst last week, the Israeli military destroyed a high-rise block in Gaza City, the second major tower it has targeted this month.

Von der Leyen condemned what she called a “man-made famine” in Gaza, describing the humanitarian crisis as catastrophic. Her speech was met with strong applause from MEPs wearing red and showing solidarity with Gaza.

The UN estimates nearly one million people remain in Gaza City, where it declared a famine last month. It has warned of an imminent “disaster” if the assault proceeds.

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 63,746 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

The ministry also says over 400 people have so far died during the war as a result of malnutrition and starvation.

The State of the Union address marks the start of the new working year for the bloc’s institutions and is used by the Commission President to recap achievements, present new initiatives, and set the tone for the months ahead.

The Maltese MEP highlighted growing concerns among European citizens about global politics, including uncertainty stemming from the White House. He warned that Europe cannot remain silent while facing coercion from powerful allies.

Saliba added that Europe must resist pressures to weaken its digital laws over transatlantic trade tensions. “Following the statements made by the U.S. regarding the DSA, you should activate the anti-coercion mechanism as soon as possible. Europe needs to become stronger and invest in its public digital infrastructure,” he said.

He also emphasised Europe’s heavy reliance on foreign technology, noting that “we are 80% dependent on foreign technology. Our priority should be to reduce this number by the end of the digital decade in 2030.”

Beyond technology, he called for social protections for workers, highlighting the “right to disconnect” and the need for better accommodation as soon as possible.